"And that gives me more motivation to try to get better. That’s what I will carry on doing.

"I don’t set myself personal targets, in terms of goals and assists. What I try to do is improve, always.

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Diego Costa in action for Chelsea

"If the previous campaign hasn’t been very good, or even if it has, I just try to do a better campaign than the one before. My main aspiration, and not just mine, my team-mates’ too, is to conquer the title again.

"I felt we like had something to prove coming into this season. Last season we left a debt behind, so to speak.

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Antonio Conte’s Chelsea take on Stoke today

"And that’s the secret to our great form this season. We owe a lot to our people and we are hoping we are going to be able to pay that back."

Chelsea, who beat Bournemouth 3-0 on Boxing Day, are currently six points ahead of Liverpool in the Premier League table.

The Blues were without Costa against the Cherries, who was serving a one-game suspension, but he will return for their clash with Stoke today.